Page 98 of Slippers and Thorns
The older woman smiled. “Just watching the conclusion of events that I helped set in motion. Well, for now, at least.” Her eyes sparkled. “With the curse behind her, I imagine Princess Helena will be making waves again soon. Just not in Daraigh, thankfully.”
“Events…you set in motion?” Ella repeated, confused.
“There’s more to me than meets the eye, dearie,” Edna grinned slyly as she tucked a lock of hair behind one ear.
One slightly-pointed ear.
Surprised, Ella blinked and looked again. Edna’s ear was perfectly normal. Had she imagined it?
“Mother?”
Edna, Ella, and Michael all looked over at the speaker. Oliver, a rare look of faint surprise on his face, was strolling up to them.
“Hello, Ollie,” Edna replied, reaching up and giving him a peck on the cheek. “Is the prince treating you well?”
His eyes darted over to Michael, whose brow was furrowed as he looked between his guard and the old woman. “As well as ever.”
“Good. Then I’m sure he won’t mind you taking a little time off to help your mother move?” she asked, watching Michael with a mischievous curve to her lips.
“No, of course not,” Michael smoothly replied, a polite smile gracing his face, although Ella could see that his shoulders were still a little tense. “Oliver’s performance has always been exemplary; as I have no immediate travel plans, he is free to spend some time in the city if he wishes.”
“You’re moving?” One of Oliver’s eyebrows lifted slightly. “Are you finally going to let me provide a decent home for you again?”
She patted his arm fondly. “I told you, Ollie, I was there because I had a strong feeling that it was where I needed to be.” Glancing at Ella and Michael, she smiled softly. “Now, that need is past.”
Ella blinked after them as Oliver and…his mother walked away together discussing the details of her relocation. Looking over at Michael, she saw he had a strange expression on his face as he, too, watched them leave.
“Did you know that was Oliver’s mother?” she asked.
He shook his head, still following them with his eyes. “No. He’s never talked about his family.” After another moment, he turned back to Ella and offered her his arm. “Shall we go in?”
Smiling faintly, she took it. Michael smiled back and began walking. She held herself carefully, not pulling too close. Their relationship had definitely improved since their reconciliation a few days before, but things were still a little tense between them. They were working on it, but it would take time to heal the wounds they had inflicted on each other.
Justin popped up beside them when they were almost back to the front doors. “Good morning, brother. Good morning, favorite sister-in-law,” he grinned.
Michael just rolled his eyes, but Ella gave him a grin of her own. “Good morning, Justin. How are you doing?”
“Oh, fine, fine. Say, Arabella, I want to ask you a favor.”
“A favor?” Ella asked. “What favor could you possibly need from me?”
“Well, as I’m sure you know,” he began, “I’ll be turning eighteen in about a month.”
Michael rolled his eyes again. “Yes, little brother, we are all well aware. Even if we were incapable of remembering and keeping track of the date, Mother’s elaborate preparations would be hard to miss.”
Justin slapped him jovially on the back. “That’s what I love about you, big brother. Straight to the point. Well, maybe not tomypoint.”
“And what is your point?” Ella prompted politely.
“When I turn eighteen, my guard will be increased to the same four-man team that you and Michael each have.” Ella nodded to show her understanding when he paused. “I have to pick out two new men. I want to poach Charlie.”
“What?” she said, startled. “But he’s—”
“I know he’s your friend, but now that you have my brother back, surely you don’t need to depend on a guard for company anymore,” he teased. “Since I’m sure my brother will have much more time to spend with you now that I’m sharing the workload. Hint, hint.” He jabbed Michael with an elbow. “Besides, Charlie and I have become good friends, too, over the last few months.”
“Oh, really?” Michael asked, raising an eyebrow at his younger brother.
“Oh, yes,” Justin glibly replied. “I’ve had quite the opportunity to get to know him and Arabella’s other guardsmen while we were all conspiring together against you.”
